Random Fainting-Any thoughts?

[happily single]

I have a doc appointment in the morning.
I am looking for any advice or things I can ask the doctor. I think I'm going to ask for a referral to cardio.

I have randomly fainted 4 times since November, 2023. Believe it or not, that November incident was at Disney. After the 1st or second incident I saw my pcp and she ran blood work and stopped a medication I was taking at the time. Recently I've fainted one time time and came very close to fainting a second time.

I have a few minute "warning" in that I get very hot and dizzy. I don't believe its menopause related. I don't feel like I'm on fire. I just get very hot, begin to sweat, then my eye sight and hearing go and I feel like I'm in a tunnel (very hard to explain) and I get dizzy.

The last time this happened I happened to be in a class taught by someone in the women's health field (same as me). She felt that it could have been a hot flash. I had eaten a good breakfast and a very healthy lunch. I had been drinking gatorade and water. I was standing for maybe 10-15 minutes when this happened. After the spell passes I am 100% fine, aside from a little bit of feeling "ok". No shaking, no trouble standing, etc.

I am 50; healthy, other than pre-diabetes, which is controlled with 1,000mg of metformin a day. I don't drink or smoke.

ladies, please tell me this isn't menopause.

 

[Mommb]

I had symptoms similar to this about 6 times when I was 16-28 years old. I'd be standing up, my vision would cloud over, I'd feel warm, and I felt like I needed to sit down immediately to avoid falling over. Within a few minutes, I was fine.

I never did get a diagnosis, because it happened so rarely. I am confident that it had nothing to do with menopause, since the last time it happened I was 5 months pregnant.

Do you have a history of low blood pressure? I did, so that was my best guess as to what could have caused my issues.

I hope your doctor is able to get you a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

 

[happily single]

I had symptoms similar to this about 6 times when I was 16-28 years old. I'd be standing up, my vision would cloud over, I'd feel warm, and I felt like I needed to sit down immediately to avoid falling over. Within a few minutes, I was fine.

I never did get a diagnosis, because it happened so rarely. I am confident that it had nothing to do with menopause, since the last time it happened I was 5 months pregnant.

Do you have a history of low blood pressure? I did, so that was my best guess as to what could have caused my issues.

I hope your doctor is able to get you a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

thanks for the response. I've never had low blood pressure. Thankfully the instances aren't that often (November, 2023; January, 2024 and then March, 2025 (2x)

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Vasovagal Syncope.
Tends to happen to me in a few situations.
First if I wake up and get right out of bed. It does not hit me that second but rather a little while later.
To help this I generally get up and eat and then as soon as I'm done lay back down for 15 minutes.
Second happens if I'm anticipating pain. For example if I'm getting an IV I know its hard for them to get it and usually takes a few tries so I hold my breath.
Third is if I feel too crammed in somewhere.
For example last Easter Church was pretty full and we were kinda tight in the seats and standing for too long. I had to half lay on the pew and hope no one noticed.

Since you had been standing for 10+ minutes when this happened my guess is you locked your legs.
Be sure that when standing you move around in your spot instead of trying to stand completely straight and still.
I'm guessing you had been standing in line at Disney when it happened?

 

[happily single]

Vasovagal Syncope.
Tends to happen to me in a few situations.
First if I wake up and get right out of bed. It does not hit me that second but rather a little while later.
To help this I generally get up and eat and then as soon as I'm done lay back down for 15 minutes.
Second happens if I'm anticipating pain. For example if I'm getting an IV I know its hard for them to get it and usually takes a few tries so I hold my breath.
Third is if I feel too crammed in somewhere.
For example last Easter Church was pretty full and we were kinda tight in the seats and standing for too long. I had to half lay on the pew and hope no one noticed.

Since you had been standing for 10+ minutes when this happened my guess is you locked your legs.
Be sure that when standing you move around in your spot instead of trying to stand completely straight and still.
I'm guessing you had been standing in line at Disney when it happened?

I don't recall my knees being locked. I'm a massage therapist so I'm used to being on my feet. When the first incident happened, at Disney, we were right in front of the castle waiting for fireworks to start. We had spent a few hours (about 2pm-8pm) at the hotel, then headed over for fireworks. There was maybe 2 minutes before the fireworks began and down I went. That was the worst time of all. The one that just happened in March I was massaging a student in class.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Dehydration? Seems too simple, but when I went thru a similar spell, about 6 months, the doctor traced it back to not drinking enough water in the couple hours before each fainting episode.

 

[petrola]

I'm sorry I don't have any answers for this - but just here to say I hope your dr is able to figure out a diagnosis soon! so sorry you are going through this!

 

[magik]

Maybe ask your doctor about POTS?

 

[BrianL]

Dehydration? Seems too simple, but when I went thru a similar spell, about 6 months, the doctor traced it back to not drinking enough water in the couple hours before each fainting episode.

This can definitely do it. I've had syncope a few tiems and once it was because I had this really bad sinus infection - didn't realize how bad - and got super dehydrated. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I had to pee really bad - of course my body had very little liquid in it, and I passed out in the bathroom. The doctor said it was because of the dehydration.

 

[Imzadi]

thanks for the response. I've never had low blood pressure. Thankfully the instances aren't that often (November, 2023; January, 2024 and then March, 2025 (2x)

Was each time while you had your period, if you still get your period? You could be anemic during your period.

 

[happily single]

Maybe ask your doctor about POTS?

That’s been mentioned, but every single time I had been standing for more than 10-15 minutes. I’m not 100% sure of the criteria but PoTS sounds more immediate

 

[happily single]

Was each time while you had your period, if you still get your period? You could be anemic during your period.

Nope. Ive an IUD for 2 years

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

That’s been mentioned, but every single time I had been standing for more than 10-15 minutes. I’m not 100% sure of the criteria but PoTS sounds more immediate

See the standing for more than 10-15 minutes is very indicative of Vasovagal.

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

I have a doc appointment in the morning.
I am looking for any advice or things I can ask the doctor. I think I'm going to ask for a referral to cardio.

I have randomly fainted 4 times since November, 2023. Believe it or not, that November incident was at Disney. After the 1st or second incident I saw my pcp and she ran blood work and stopped a medication I was taking at the time. Recently I've fainted one time time and came very close to fainting a second time.

I have a few minute "warning" in that I get very hot and dizzy. I don't believe its menopause related. I don't feel like I'm on fire. I just get very hot, begin to sweat, then my eye sight and hearing go and I feel like I'm in a tunnel (very hard to explain) and I get dizzy.

The last time this happened I happened to be in a class taught by someone in the women's health field (same as me). She felt that it could have been a hot flash. I had eaten a good breakfast and a very healthy lunch. I had been drinking gatorade and water. I was standing for maybe 10-15 minutes when this happened. After the spell passes I am 100% fine, aside from a little bit of feeling "ok". No shaking, no trouble standing, etc.

I am 50; healthy, other than pre-diabetes, which is controlled with 1,000mg of metformin a day. I don't drink or smoke.

ladies, please tell me this isn't menopause.

Look into seeing an Electrophysiologist (in Cardiology Dept). They specialize in these kinds of things and you sound like the issues I've had. It could be syncope. Or POTS which is what I have. No matter what, please see a specialist and find out what is going on.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

No suggestions, Happily single just a hug and prayers. Please do take care of yourself.

 

[SueInBoston]

I suggest seeing a cardiologist. 7 years ago my aunt was fainting off and on, we did all kinds of tests, and tried 3 different types of Holter monitors. But my aunt is not good with any electronic devices, she would be removing it when alone, finally the dr. did the implant monitor, within hours, it showed that her heart was beating irregularly so blood was not getting to her brain. She had a pacemaker put in and no more fainting.

 

[2SLM]

Are you talking any of the gp1 shots for weight loss?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am looking for any advice or things I can ask the doctor

I think you should be more detailed with what happened with each episode. Where were you exactly, what were you doing, then how you felt. Go over each one. (Maybe jot down some notes w pertinent details.) Find a happy middle between enough and too much detail. Keep it as brief as you can. They will order bloodwork, probably a ziopatch, and maybe some studies on the heart (if they think it warrants it). They’ll look at your medical history, what meds you’re on, family history, and try to put it altogether. As a cardiac nurse I’ve seen this go both ways - sometimes something is found, and sometimes it’s not. If you figure out what might be causing it do your best to sit down or something so you don’t fall and become injured. Good luck tomorrow.

 

[tallygirl]

Ask your doctor about neurocardiogenic syncope. My granddaughter has it and standing for too long is one thing that triggers it.

 

[happily single]

Ask your doctor about neurocardiogenic syncope. My granddaughter has it and standing for too long is one thing that triggers it.

thanks. this was suggested in another post. I'll definietely mention it